New York Yankees vs. Toronto Blue Jays: Odds, Prediction
When the Yankees visited the Blue Jays in early May, the entre New York roster was allowed to enter Canada so that means they are all vaccinated against COVID and there shouldn’t any issues this time, either. Although do note that starting pitcher Luis Severino placed on the COVID list Thursday – although he apparently tested positive. He was supposed to pitch Thursday and not clear if he will go to Toronto and/or pitch in the series.
Yankees vs. Jays Betting Analysis
The Yankees are bludgeoning teams right now but still are only +339 second-favourites to win the World Series behind the Dodgers (+284). New York is a +183 leader for the AL pennant and -588 leader to capture the AL East. That race might be over by the All-Star break.
AL MVP candidate Aaron Judge is hitting .278 with three homers and seven RBIs in the series. Gleyber Torres .258 with three homers and nine RBIs. Former Blue Jay Josh Donaldson is batting just .145 against Toronto and Anthony Rizzo .152. Bo Bichette leads the Jays with a .308 average in the series. Vladimir Guerrero has three homers, but they all came in one game.
New York Yankees
The Yanks remain a bit thin in the bullpen with closer Aroldis Chapman and setup man Jonathan Loaisiga both on the injured list. Clay Holmes is serving as closer for now and has been lights out. Lefty Jordan Montgomery (2-1, 2.70 ERA) is scheduled to start this one. He should have a handful more wins but doesn’t get a lot of run support. Montgomery shut out the Cubs on five hits over seven innings last time out. He pitched in Toronto on May 2 and took a no-decision, allowing two runs over five. Bo Bichette hits him well, going 6-for-11 with two doubles and two homers but is in some question for Friday. Teoscar Hernandez is only 1-for-14 with six Ks off Montgomery. Yankees pitchers have recorded 10 shutouts this season, their highest total through as many team games since a franchise high of 11 in 1958. New York is 15-6 in its past 21 road games.
Toronto Blue Jays
Neither outfielder/leadoff hitter George Springer nor third baseman Matt Chapman played Thursday’s series finale vs. the Orioles, a surprising lopsided loss. Simply a day off for Springer and Chapman is dealing with some wrist soreness. Springer should play Friday, but Chapman is no sure thing. He’s hitting .327 with 10 RBIs over his past 14 games. Bo Bichette left with a leg injury and X-rays were negative but he’s in question. Right-hander Ross Stripling (3-1, 3.14 ERA) gets the call on the mound and with Hyun-Jin Ryu now out for the season, Stripling is probably in the rotation to stay. Stripling hasn’t allowed an earned run in his past two starts with two hits and no walks spanning 11.0 innings (including a relief stint, his scoreless inning streak is 13.2 innings). He started at home vs. New York on May 2 and took a no-decision, allowing two runs over four innings. In six career meetings with the Yankees, Stripling is 0-4 with a 4.50 ERA in 24 innings. Giancarlo Stanton is 2-for-9 off him with a homer. DJ LeMahieu is 8-for-24 vs. Stripling. The Jays are 11-5 in their past 16 at home.
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